Services
CAPS promotes the psychological health of students
and the campus community through:
Individual Counseling
The Clinical Staff can help students explore, understand, and work
through problems on an individual basis. Individual counseling can help
students find alternatives, expand choices and overcome obstacles that
interfere with personal development and a sense of well-being. The
clarification and resolution of personal problems often facilitate a
student’s ability to concentrate, increase clarity regarding academic
direction and career choice, and stabilize and enhance relationships.
A wide variety of issues and concerns are brought to CAPS.
Some are short-term situations that may be more easily addressed after one
or more sessions. Other times, problems have been present for a longer period
of time. In either case, meeting with a therapist can help a student address
issues and enhance productivity and satisfaction with life.
Some of the issues that students bring to CAPS include:
- Adjusting to College
- Self Esteem
- Stress and Anxiety
- Depression
- Disordered Eating Issues
- Relationship Concerns
- Roommate Issues
- Family Conflicts
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
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Group Counseling
A therapy group consists of a small number of people, usually not more than
eight, and one or two trained group therapists. Group therapy offers a unique
opportunity of joining a small group of students who share common concerns.
The purpose of the group is to provide a safe as well as challenging place in
which to work on personal and interpersonal concerns. Members can discuss
perceptions of each other and receive feedback on how they are perceived by
others. Therapy groups are different from other groups in that everything
that happens in the group is confidential; what is talked about or disclosed
is not discussed outside CAPS.
Establishing a level of trust allows group members to talk openly and
honestly. Therapists and group members work together to establish trust
and commitment to the group. The first few sessions usually focus on the
establishment of trust, as well as other ground rules for the group.
Groups are designed to foster active learning, a place to work on problems
rather that just talk about them. Members often experience the same
difficulties in group that they have elsewhere. The group, with the help of
the therapist, is able to give support and understanding, offer suggestions,
or gently confront the person. Groups offer opportunities to experiment with
different ways of communicating with others and to try new behaviors.
Those who benefit most are usually those who take an active part in the
process and who allow themselves to give and receive honest, helpful feedback.
Group counseling also provides opportunities to learn that others have similar difficulties
and to learn about yourself as others work on their problems. In an atmosphere
of mutual concern, members can care about and help each other.
A variety of groups are offered each quarter. The following groups are being
offered:
- Graduate Group
- Undergraduate Women’s Group
- Relaxation and Stress Management
- Building Connections
- Eating and Body Concerns
- Rainbow Group
All groups require a pre-group screening appointment in order to learn
more about the group and whether it will meet your particular needs,
please make an appointment by calling (206) 296-6090 or stopping by CAPS office located in P120 in the Student Pavilion.
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Couples Counseling
CAPS is committed
to helping students work through problems they might be having in their
primary relationships.
Couples seek counseling to address issues such as:
- Engaging in frequent conflict
- Experiencing unsatisfying communication
patterns
- Having power or control struggles
- Having sexual difficulties
- Experiencing other threats to their relationship
Relationship skills such as healthy communication, conflict
resolution, and cooperative goal setting are often fostered as key parts
of treatment. With the assistance of the therapist, many couples develop
a more intimate, satisfying, and healthy relationship and learn skills,
which help the relationship continue to grow after counseling has ended. Couples
counseling is available for SU students and their partners. If you are a
student, but your partner is not, you are still eligible for couples
counseling.
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Crisis Counseling
Crisis counseling is available for psychological emergencies such as
severe depression, thoughts of suicide, and assaults.
Limited Psychiatric Services
CAPS offers limited psychiatric service to students
who are not covered by outside insurance. These services are contracted
with the University of Washington Psychiatric Residency program and
usually provided by the Chief Psychiatric Resident. Students can be
referred to these services after consultation with their counselor.
Services include diagnosis and medication evaluation and management.
Students can also be referred to the Student Health Service for medication
evaluation.
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Outreach and Consultation Services
Since not all members of the Seattle University community come to CAPS to take advantage of our services, CAPS
is committed to reaching out to the university community. Outreach services,
in the form of presentations and workshops on various mental health topics
and interpersonal issues comprise another important component of what our
center offers. We sponsor programs that range from specific psychological
and interpersonal topics to simply informing members of the Seattle
University community about our range of services. CAPS
staff are also involved with other members of the university community in
providing collaborative programs.
In addition to workshops and presentations, CAPS staff are
often called upon to consult with faculty or other university professionals
about the psychological and academic well-being of students. Whether
responding to concerns about individual students who are in a crisis,
speaking to a group of students regarding specific concerns they may have,
or simply being available following a more public crisis or trauma, CAPS staff are available to assist the campus community.
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Resource Library
We have brochures and self-help books available for check-out.
We can provide you with referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists,
counselors, and other resources in the community.
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